Why Alex Eala won’t be the flag bearer for the Philippines at the Asian Games

Alex Eala's next move after the US Open has already been made clear.

She, like a huge chunk of the WTA Tour, will head to Singapore to kick-start the Asian swing of the season.

However, the 21-year-old's schedule differs massively from that of her peers, as after playing in that WTA 500 event, she will head to Nagoya to compete for the Philippines at the Asian Games.

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In doing so, Eala will actually miss the China Open, which could potentially see the young Filipina suffer a WTA sanction.

Her presence at this national event just highlights her commitment to her home country, made even more impactful given her fine form during the summer.

However, despite this sacrifice and her recent rise to fame, Alexandra Eala will actually not be the flag bearer for the Philippines. There is an explanation though.

Who will replace Alex Eala as the Philippines' flag bearer at the Asian Games?

Speaking ahead of his country's trip to Japan to compete, the POC president, Abraham Tolentino, was issuing a 'message of unity and support', likely to his athletes who will soon compete for national pride and personal success.

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And whilst there, he actually confirmed that Eala was initially tipped to be the Philippines' flag bearer, given she is undoubtedly the biggest Filipino sporting star on the planet right now.

However, it was actually her dad who thwarted this, telling him that the Pinay tennis ace needs to rest after her stint in the Singapore Open following what has been a busy summer.

Instead, Olympic bronze medallist boxer Aira Villegas and Southeast Asian Games silver medallist Albert Ian Delos Santos will be carrying the flag at the 20th Asian Games opening ceremony.

Alex Eala is still at the US Open practising

In an effort to head to Singapore and Nagoya in the best possible shape, Eala has actually yet to leave New York.

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That is, despite having been knocked out of the competition just last week, beaten by her good friend Iva Jovic in an instant US Open classic.

Interestingly, it's another of her friends who has remained on the campus with her, having been pictured practising with Eva Lys.

Whilst some might have used defeat as an opportunity to rest, it could be argued that Eala is the busiest woman in tennis right now. She just wants to play as much as she can, and she can only be commended for this mindset.

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